We will hold the 16th session of our “Learn & Connect: 5.40 Lecture Series” on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. In this session, one of our faculty members from the Psychology Department Dr. Dilay Z. Karadöller will be with us with her presentation titled “The Visual Face of Meaning in Sign Language Acquisition.”
How does a child learn language? By hearing, by seeing, or through interactions established with the body? Language is not formed only through sounds; the body, hands, and the space we are in are also part of meaning. Sign languages are among the most systematic examples of this visual-spatial communication and often construct meaning through visual pathways. In this session, we will begin with a brief overview of what sign languages are and how they are learned; then we will address the importance of timing in language acquisition and examine sign language acquisition processes-which share many common features with spoken language acquisition-in the context of the effects of early and late language input on linguistic, cognitive, and emotional development. We will then share how the visual face of meaning in sign languages contributes to learning and memory processes, drawing on Dr. Karadöller’s work supported by national and international grants and awards.
Following the seminar, we will hold the “Connect” part of our event with a cocktail reception in the main foyer area.
